The Jackson County Commission approved a one-time bonus for eligible county retirees, renewed the county’s mortuary transportation contract and received an update on local ambulance services during its July 27 meeting.
The commission also discussed plans to replace aging Public Works equipment, reviewed a proposal for additional accounting assistance and recognized two county employees for their service.
Commissioners approved and signed a resolution allowing Jackson County to participate in Act 2026-608, which provides a one-time lump-sum payment to eligible local government retirees and beneficiaries of deceased retirees.
The county will provide the funds necessary to the Employees’ Retirement System to cover the payment.
The payment is scheduled to begin in October 2026.
The commission unanimously approved the resolution.
During the work session, Highlands Medical Center President Ashley Bailey provided commissioners with an update on the county’s ambulance service.
The ambulance service is now part of HH EMS, which operates primarily through Huntsville, although the service continues to be managed locally in Jackson County.
Chris Hall remains the local EMS director.
The service currently has five new ambulances in operation, with five additional new ambulances expected.
The goal is to eventually replace the older ambulances at each station.
The new ambulances are equipped with GPS and interior camera systems.
The cameras do not record the patient area because of privacy requirements, but they can be used for employee education, coaching and safety.
The system also includes an alert that can notify ambulance personnel if they are using a cellphone while driving.
During the most recent fiscal year, the county’s ambulance service recorded 10,060 runs.
Approximately 77% of those were emergency 911 calls, while the remainder were classified as non-emergency.
Bailey said the number of calls increased significantly in the county’s community stations, including North Jackson, Pisgah, Skyline and Bryant.
The ambulance service has also begun carrying blood products on ambulances, which can be particularly important during serious trauma cases in rural areas. New handheld ventilators have also been placed into service.
Commissioners questioned whether the new ambulances would remain available to Jackson County when they are sent to Huntsville for maintenance.
Bailey explained the ambulances are returned directly to Jackson County after repairs and that the county has not had an ambulance removed from its community for use elsewhere.
Jackson County does work with surrounding counties when additional ambulance coverage is needed, officials said, but not to the point of leaving Jackson County without coverage.
Bailey also explained that the hospital has access to an app showing the location of ambulances throughout the system.
The commission also discussed renewing its governmental equipment lease program, which has been used for approximately two decades to help keep a core group of county equipment relatively new while addressing older equipment needs.
The current lease expires August 21.
The county currently budgets approximately $150,000 for the equipment lease, including capital and interest.
Several pieces of equipment were identified for surplus, including a chip spreader and a rubber-tire roller that is no longer needed following the county’s transition to hot-mix paving.
The county engineer recommended replacing several pieces of equipment through Option B of the proposals presented to commissioners.
The recommended option would result in a monthly payment of approximately $10,124.90, or about $124,998 annually, when combined with the existing grader lease.
Because the total would exceed the current $150,000 budget allocation, a slight increase in the equipment budget would be necessary.
Commissioners did not take final action on the equipment package Monday night.
The item is expected to return for consideration at a future meeting.
Commissioners also reviewed a proposal from BMSS, a Huntsville-based accounting firm, to provide financial and accounting support to the county.
The proposed services include accounting assistance, preparation of financial statements, general ledger assistance, audit preparation and help with schedules, reconciliations and other information requested during the audit process.
County officials said the firm comes highly recommended and has experience working with governmental entities.
The proposal will be discussed further before potentially being placed on a future meeting agenda for action.
The commission approved two Hazard Mitigation Grant Program agreements for the Emergency Management Agency.
The programs are reviewed every five years and allow the county to participate in grant opportunities following local disasters through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state EMA office.
Commissioners also approved the renewal of the county’s contract with Mac Mortuary Transport, LLC for transportation services.
The contract was revised to specifically include response-time requirements that had previously been included in the bid package.
Officials said the county is working to clarify when the response clock begins.
The goal is to ensure the transportation provider is notified as quickly as possible when its services are needed.
If a family chooses to use another funeral home, the transportation provider can be notified and will turn around without an additional charge at that point of service.
The commission recognized two employees during Monday’s meeting: Misty Perkins, grants and project coordinator, and Chad Coleman, director of the Jackson County Council on Aging.
Perkins was recognized for her work locating grants and coordinating projects after the county receives funding.
Commissioners noted that she has been with the county for five years, beginning in an administrative role before moving into grants and project coordination.
Coleman was recognized for his leadership of the county’s Council on Aging.
Jackson County operates six senior centers and provides meals, transportation and assistance with prescription costs and insurance coverage for local seniors.
Coleman thanked commissioners for the opportunity to serve and said he takes the responsibility of serving Jackson County’s senior citizens personally.
The commission also received an update on the planned County Road 93 project.
The county has signed an agreement involving $500,000 in funding and submitted it to the state.
County Engineer officials said the agreement has been received by the state and must now move through ALDOT and the governor’s office.
Once those steps are completed, a pre-construction meeting will be held, followed by a notice to proceed.
Officials estimated the process could take a couple of months.
Commission Chairman Bill Nance said the county continues to seek applicants for an unexpired position on the Jackson County Healthcare Authority Board.
The county has advertised the opening for approximately three weeks but had not received any applications as of Monday’s meeting.
Nance encouraged anyone interested in serving on the board to submit a request and resume outlining their experience.
Nance emphasized the importance of the board, noting that Highlands Medical Center remains owned by the people of Jackson County and that the Healthcare Authority serves as the hospital’s landlord and works with hospital operations.
The commission’s next meeting is scheduled for August 10.
by Heather Dohring
